Latch for sliding panels



1963 w. VAN HARN ETAL 7 3,112,635

LATCH FOR SLIDING PANELS Filed March 28, 1962 United States Patent M 3,112,635 LATCH FOR SLIDING PANELS Willard Van Ham, Zeeland, and Leif Blotlee, Holland, Mich, assignors to Herman Miller, Inc, Zeeland, Mich a corporation of Michigan Filed Mar. 28, 1962, Ser. No. 183,233 Claims. (Cl. 70-100) This invention relates to a locking mechanism for a cabinet. More particularly, this invention relates to a locking mechanism for a cabinet having a plurality of sliding panels for access into the cabinet, the panels mounted for sliding movement in parallel planes.

Many storage cabinets utilizing sliding panels are presently in existence. Such cabinets are especially well adapted for mounting on the wall of a room, the cabinets for storage and filing and having two or more sliding panels giving access thereinto. No suitable, simple means for locking these sliding panels against movement has been devised up to this time. Unless such cabinets can be effectively locked, their value and usefulness is severely limited. However, the locking mechanism provided must be simple and free from complexity if such cabinets are to be competitively sold. It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved locking mechanism for such cabinets.

A further object of this invention is to provide such a locking mechanism which is simple in structure, yet effective in operation.

A further object of this invention is to provide such a locking-mechanism which in no way interferes with the use of storage space within the cabinet.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of such a locking mechanism which combines with a cabinet structure such that the appearance of the cabinet is not altered.

These and other objects of this invention will become obvious to those skilled in the relative arts upon reading the following specification, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a cabinet embodying the locking mechanism of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the cabinet shown in FIG. 1, the top being partially broken away and certain parts being shown in cross section to better show the invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the plane Ill-Ill of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a lost motion device utilized in the locking mechanism of this invention.

Briefly, this invention relates to a cabinet having a locking mechanism, the combination including a plurality of sliding panels mounted for sliding movement in parallel planes. A rod extends parallel to the panels in the direction of their sliding movement. A means is associated with the cabinet for supporting the rod for rotation about its longitudinal axis. At least one finger projects radially from the rod, the finger intersecting the planes in which the doors slide when the rod is rotated to advance the position, thereby holding the doors against sliding. This finger, when the rod is rotated to retract its position, lies away from the planes of sliding movement of the doors.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, the reference numeral 1 designates a cabinet utilizing the looking mechanism of this invention (FIG. 1). The cabinet 1 includes a plurality of panels mounted for sliding movement, three panels being shown in the embodiment disclosed, designated by the reference numerals 2, 3 and 4 respectively. These panels are mounted for sliding movement within track members 5 and 6, mounted respectively at the top and bottom of the cabinet 1. The top track member 5 is shown in detail in FIGS. 2 and 3, and it will 3,112,635 Patented Dec. 3, 1963 be noted that this track member 5 includes a pair of parallel tracks 5a and 5b lying side-by-side, formed by the walls 7, 8 and 9. It will now be seen that the panels 2 and 4 are slidably movable within the track 5a and the panel 3 slidably movable within the track 5b.

In the embodiment shown, the cabinet 1 is divided into compartments by means of partitions 12 and '13 (FIG. 2). Aligned openings 14 and 15 are formed in the partitions 12 and 13 respectively, these openings lying closely adjacent to the track 5 and also adjacent to the top 16 of the cabinet 1. A rod 2%} is mounted within the openings 14 and 15, the rod being rotatable within these openings and supported for rotation by the partitions 12 and 13. The rod 20 extends to the side -17 of the cabinet 1, where it is operatively connected to a conventional locking mechanism 18 mounted in the side 17 of the cabinet 1.

Spaced first and second fingers 21 and 22 extend radially from the rod 20, in the embodiment shown the fingers actually extending to form imaginary radii from the rod. However, it is to be specifically understood that the term radially used herein is not to be so limited, since these fingers could perform the function to be hereinafter described without lying on an actual radius. The finger 21 is longer than the finger 22, the purpose of which willbe explained hereinafter. The rod 20 also includes a lost motion mechanism 23 (FIGS. 2 and 4) including a sleeve 24 interconnecting parts 20m and 20b of the rod. The portion 29b of the rod 20 is rotatable with respect to the sleeve 24, the sleeve 24 including an offset portion 25 adapted to cooperate with the pin 26 positioned on portion 20b. The parts are interconnected such that the portion 2% of the rod may be rotated 360, however, the portion Zilb only rotating this being accomplished when the offset portion 25 of the sleeve 24 picks up the pin 26 on the portion 2012. This is to facilitate easy key removal from the locking mechanism 18, conventional tumblers requiring a 360 turn for key removal.

The Wall 7 of the track member 5 is slotted at points 30 and 31 for reception of the fingers 21 and 22. The Wall 8 of the track member 5 is slotted at 32 (FIGS. 2 and 3) for reception of the finger 21. The panel 3 is slotted at 33 for reception of the end of the finger 21. It will now be seen that rotation of the rod 26 in one direction positions the finger 21 in the path of the panel 2 and within the slot 33 of panel 3, thus preventing movement of either panels 2 or 3. imultaneously, the finger 22 extends through the solt 31, lying in the path of panel 4 and preventing its movement. Rotation of the rod 20 in the opposite direction removes the fingers 21 and 22 from these positions, moving the fingers remote from the paths of the panels and thus permitting their movement.

Assembly and Operation The locking mechanism of this invention is adapted to be inserted into cabinets of conventional construction which include two or more sliding panels. The rod 20 is positioned within the cabinet 1, supported for rotation within the openings 14 and 15 in the partitions 12 and 13 respectively of the embodiment shown. It should be noted that in the absence of such partitions, the rod 20 could be supported in the side walls of the cabinet. The rod 20 is positioned closely adjacent the sliding panels, preferably near one edge thereof so as not to interfere with access to the cabinet. If the cabinet included shelving, the rod 20 could be positioned adjacent a shelf. The rod 21) preferably includes the lost motion device 23 for use in association with conventional locking mechanism, so that key removal may be easily facilitated. With the provision of appropriate slots as described, this locking mechanism is assembled.

In operation, one merely turns the tumblers (not shown) of the locking mechanism '18 in a conventional manner. In one position, the finger 21 extends through the slots 30 and 32 of the track member and into the groove 33 of the panel 3. This prevents movement of either panel 2 or 3. Simultaneously, the finger 22 extends through the slot 31 of the track member 5, lying in the path of the panel 4 and preventing its movement. Thus, the cabinet '1 is securely locked. Upon rotation of the rod 20 in the opposite direction, the fingers 21 and 22 are retracted to a remote position or away from the paths of movement of the panels 2, 3 and 4, again allowing free movement thereof. The number of fingers extending from the rod 20 is dependent on the number of panels incorporated into the cabinet, for example, if the cabinet 1 included only the panels 2 and 3, only the finger 21 would be required.

It will be noted that this invention has provided a locking mechanism especially well adapted for cabinets having sliding panels. The locking mechanism is simple in construction, yet positive in operation. The locking mechanism does not detract from the appearance'of the cabinet, nor does it interfere with access into and from the cabinet.

While only one embodiment of this invention has been shown and described, it may be possible to practice the invention through the utilization of certain other embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Such other embodiments are to be included as part of this invention unless the following claims specifically state otherwise.

We claim:

1. In a locking mechanism for a cabinet having a plurality of sliding panels mounted for sliding movement in parallel planes, said locking mechanism comprising: a

rod extending parallel to said panels in the direction of their sliding movements; [means supporting said rod for rotation about its longitudinal axis; at least one finger projecting radially from said rod, said finger when said rod is rotated to advanced position, intersecting the planes in which saiddoors slide and holding said doors against sliding; said finger, when said rod is rotated to retracted position, being remote from the planes of sliding movement of said doors.

2. In a locking mechanism for a cabinet having a plurality of sliding panels mounted for sliding movement in parallel planes, said locking mechanism comprising: a rod extending to at least one side of the cabinet and parallel to said panels in the direction of their sliding movement and adjacent one edge thereof; means supporting said rod for rotation about its longitudinal axis; a lock associated with said rod in said one side of the cabinet; at least one finger projecting radially from said rod, said finger when said rod is rotated to advance position, intersecting the planes in which said doors slide and holding 7 said doors against sliding; said finger, when said rod .is

rotated to retracted position, being remote from the planes of sliding movement of said doors.

tion including a plurality of sliding panels mounted for sliding movement in parallel planes; a rod extending behind and parallel to said panels in the direction of their sliding movement and adjacent one edge thereof; means associated with said cabinet for supporting said rod for rotation about its longitudinal axis; at least one finger projecting radially from said rod, said finger when said rod is rotated to advanced position, intersecting the planes in which said doors slide and holding said doors against sliding; said finger, when said rod is rotated to retracted position, being remote from the planes of sliding movement of said doors.

4. A cabinet as defined in claim 3, the panel lying farthest away from said rod including a groove for reception of said finger.

5. A cabinet as defined in claim 3, said means for supporting said rod including a partition in the cabinet having an opening therein for reception of said rod and an opening in one side of the cabinet including a lock receiving an end of said rod.

6. A cabinet having a locking mechanism, the combination including a pair of parallel tracks lying adjacent one another; a plurality of sliding panels mounted for sliding movement in said tracks; a rod behind and closely adja- 3. A cabinet having a locking mechanism, the combinacent to said tracks, said rod extending parallel to said panels in the direction of their sliding movement; means associated with said cabinet for supporting said rod for rotation about its longitudinal axis; at least one finger projecting radially from said rod, said finger when said rod is rotated to advance position, intersecting the planes in which said doors slide and holding said doors against sliding; said finger, when said rod is rotated to retracted position, being remote from the planes of sliding movement of said doors.

a 7. A cabinet as defined in claim 6, the panel lying [farthest away from said rod including a groove for reception of said finger.

8. A cabinet as defined in claim 6, said tracks slotted for reception of said finger and said panel lying farthest away from said rod including a groove for reception of said finger.

9'. A cabinet as defined in claim 6, said means for supporting said rod including a partition in the cabinet having an opening therein for reception of said rod and an opening in one side of the cabinet including a lock receiving an end of said rod.

10. A cabinet as defined in claim 9, said rod including a lost motion means between said lock and said finger.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,597,079 Kugley Apr. 24, 1926 1,719,203 Taussig July 2, 1929 1,853,326 Walker Apr. 12, 1932 2,049,860 Olson Aug. 4, 1936 

2. IN A LOCKING MECHANISM FOR A CABINET HAVING A PLURALITY OF SLIDING PANELS MOUNTED FOR SLIDING MOVEMENT IN PARALLEL PLANES, SAID LOCKING MECHANISM COMPRISING: A ROD EXTENDING TO AT LEAST ONE SIDE OF THE CABINET AND PARALLEL TO SAID PANELS IN THE DIRECTION OF THEIR SLIDING MOVEMENT AND ADJACENT ONE EDGE THEREOF; MEANS SUPPORTING SAID ROD FOR ROTATION ABOUT ITS LONGITUDINAL AXIS; A LOCK ASSOCIATED WITH SAID ROD IN SAID ONE SIDE OF THE CABINET; AT LEAST ONE FINGER PROJECTING RADIALLY FROM SAID ROD, SAID FINGER WHEN SAID ROD IS ROTATED TO ADVANCE POSITION, INTERSECTING THE PLANES IN WHICH SAID DOORS SLIDE AND HOLDING SAID DOORS AGAINST SLIDING; SAID FINGER, WHEN SAID ROD IS ROTATED TO RETRACTED POSITION, BEING REMOTE FROM THE PLANES OF SLIDING MOVEMENT OF SAID DOORS. 